Illinois Pensions

Newsletter

A PUBLICATION OF IPPFA

 

November 2026

UPCOMING EVENTS


26-2 Certified Trustee Program


Carterville Pension Conference


Heroes Holiday Gala: A Season of Giving


2027 Illinois Pension Conference

ONLINE TRAINING


Online 16 Hour Certified Trustee Program


Online 8 Hour Seminar

 
 

2027 IPPFA Membership Renewal Season Is Here!

Renew your membership and continue to take advantage of the resources, education, advocacy, and support that make IPPFA an essential partner for Illinois police and fire pension funds.

As we kick off the 2027 membership renewal season, now is the perfect time to review the many benefits IPPFA provides to its members. From protecting the Downstate defined benefit pension system to providing trustee education, pension administration assistance, and retirement resources for active and retired public safety professionals, IPPFA is committed to helping our member funds succeed.

Your membership is more than an annual expense. It is an investment in the future of your pension fund, your trustees, and the officers and firefighters you serve.

Advocacy That Protects Your Pension System

IPPFA works with experienced staff and lobbyists in Springfield to monitor legislation affecting Downstate police and fire pension funds. Over the years, proposed legislation has threatened the stability and benefits of these systems. IPPFA has helped prevent harmful bills from advancing while supporting legislation that benefits pension funds, retirees, and active police officers and firefighters.

This advocacy is one of the most important benefits of membership. Having a knowledgeable organization monitoring legislative developments and representing your interests helps ensure that the commitments made to public safety professionals are protected.

Education and Professional Development

IPPFA offers a variety of educational opportunities designed specifically for Illinois police and fire pension trustees and public safety professionals, including:

  • Annual conferences and regional seminars
  • The Certified Trustee Program (CTP), meeting the mandatory 16-hour training requirement for newly elected and appointed Article 3 and 4 trustees
  • Online training and continuing education opportunities
  • Retirement and financial education for active and retired public safety professionals

These programs help trustees stay informed, fulfill their responsibilities, and make better-informed decisions on behalf of their pension funds.

 

NEWS LINKS

How to Apply for the Scholarship for Children of Illinois Fallen Heroes


Therapy for Police, Fire/EMS, Corrections, Federal Law Enforcement, Dispatch, ER Staff, and Veterans.


Many Americans Changing Retirement Savings Ahead of Midterm Elections


More Than 4 Million Medicare Beneficiaries Will Have Their Medicare Advantage or Stand-Alone Prescription Drug Plan Terminated at the End of 2026


Flossmoor FY 2026 audit gets ‘clean opinion’ – Pension Funding Improves


Allegheny County Joins Long List of States Shouldering Massive Unfunded Worker Pensions


9 Changes Coming to Social Security in 2027


Chicago police increasingly under attack, data shows


The State Where You Retire Could Cost You Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars


Moving for Lower Taxes in Retirement? 5 Ways the Taxman Can Trip You Up


Illinois Ruling Suggests States Can Still Tax Prediction Markets, But Design Matters


Pre-Retirees Now Estimate They’ll Need $5,094 a Month for a Comfortable Retirement, Up Slightly from 2025.


Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment to Rise 3.6% in 2027


Clients Are Counting On Medicare To Pay For Things It Won't, Study Says

UPCOMING PENSION TRUSTEE TRAININGS

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER!

26-2 Certified Trustee Program

November 11 - 12, 2026

NIU Outreach Center

1120 E. Diehl Rd.

Naperville, IL 60563

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER!

Carterville Pension Conference

November 17, 2026

Walker's Bluff Casino Resort

777 Walkers Bluff Way

Carterville, IL 62918

2027 Illinois Pension Conference

May 5 - 7, 2026

Eagle Ridge Resort

444 Eagle Ridge Drive

Galena, IL 61036

HEROES FAMILY FUND

Heroes Spotlight: Officer Mark David Dahlem

Department: Palatine Police Department

The Heroes Family Fund honors the memory of Officer Mark David Dahlem, of Cary, Illinois, who dedicated more than 23 years of service to the Palatine Police Department.


In December 2017, Mark was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive form of brain cancer, just days after seeking medical attention for severe headaches. He underwent emergency surgery to remove a brain tumor and received the devastating diagnosis five days later.



Throughout his law enforcement career, Mark served in several important roles, including patrol officer, field training officer, juvenile officer, and crime scene technician for 14 years. He also served as the Fremd High School liaison officer, building connections with students and the community he proudly protected.


As Mark faced his battle with cancer, family, friends, fellow officers, and members of the community rallied around him, offering unwavering support and appreciation for his years of service.


On February 1, 2019, just four days before his passing, Mark's fellow officers gathered at his hospice care room to honor his dedication and service with a retirement ceremony. He was presented with a retirement plaque recognizing his career from 1995 to 2019, a meaningful tribute to a life devoted to serving others.


Officer Dahlem passed away on February 5, 2019, leaving behind a legacy of commitment, courage, and service to his community. His dedication to the Palatine Police Department and the people he served will not be forgotten.


The Heroes Family Fund remembers Officer Mark David Dahlem and honors his lasting legacy. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. His service and sacrifice will always be remembered.

Join Us in Supporting the Heroes Family Fund

Help us honor Officer Dahlem and others like him by contributing to the Heroes Family Fund. Your generosity ensures that we can continue supporting the families of our fallen heroes in their time of need.

Guardian Sponsor: $10,000+

Protector Sponsor: $5,000–$9,999

Courage Sponsor: $2,500–$4,999

Bravery Sponsor: $1,000–$2,499

Honor Sponsor: $500–$999

Community Sponsor: $250–$499

Supporter Sponsor: $10–$249


Scan or click the QR code below to make your donation today.

Support our Silent Auctions & Raffles!

Explore our Amazon Wishlist and contribute today.

All proceeds go to the Heroes Family Fund.

Need Assistance? The Heroes Family Fund is Here to Help

The Heroes Family Fund exists to provide financial assistance to the families of Illinois police officers and firefighters who are killed or catastrophically injured in the line of duty. During one of the most difficult times a family can face, navigating benefits and resources can feel overwhelming. Our goal is to help ease that burden by providing timely financial support.


If your department becomes aware of a line-of-duty death or catastrophic injury, we encourage you to contact the Heroes Family Fund as soon as possible. Early notification allows us to begin the benefit process and provide assistance without unnecessary delays. Click here for the benefit application.

Together, we can ensure that no hero's family faces their greatest challenge alone.

UPCOMING FUNDRAISERS:

Heroes Holiday Gala: A Season of Giving

December 10th, 2026

Eaglewood Resort

1401 Nordic Road

Itasca, IL 60143

EXPERT INSIGHTS

Each month, Expert Insights features timely commentary, practical guidance, and industry perspectives from professionals serving Illinois public pension funds.


Contributors share expertise on legislative updates, fiduciary responsibilities, investment trends, legal developments, and other topics impacting trustees and fund administration.

Interested in contributing to Expert Insights?

IPPFA welcomes educational and informational contributions from professionals serving the public pension community. Suggested topics include legal updates, fiduciary best practices, compliance guidance, investment trends, training resources, and other industry developments affecting Illinois public pension funds.

ORDER THE IPPFA RETIREMENT GUIDE!

The IPPFA Retirement Guide – 3rd Edition

The best source of information on the newly expanded Social Security benefits is the 3rd Edition of the IPPFA Retirement Guide.


The Social Security chapter has been totally rewritten. In addition, the book has been updated with the latest information on:

  • Article 3 police pensions
  • Article 4 fire pensions
  • Public employee deferred compensation
  • Retirement healthcare funding

Order Your Copy Today!

The IPPFA Retirement Guide – 3rd Edition is now available:

  • Paperback copies on Amazon for $9.99.
  • Ebook copies on Amazon for $7.99.
  • From the IPPFA Office: $7.50 per book for bulk sales of 10 books or more


When the books are sold in bulk from our office, IPPFA avoids the Amazon royalty charge and passes the savings on to you.

For the earlier editions, IPPFA sold thousands of copies via bulk sale to police and fire pension funds, cities and fire districts and foreign fire insurance tax boards. Some entities bought 10 books and distributed them to the pension board, fire stations, police station libraries and alike. Other pension funds bought hundreds of books and supplied one to each active member.

Get the Word Out!

Whatever the method, let’s get the word out to our active and retired members on their new Social Security benefits.

Stay Connected with Us!

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